Microsoft Acquires Startup To Compete With Google Over Duplex Presentation

When Google unveiled the next stage of its Google Assistant technology via the Duplex conversation, the world was shocked. It would seem that machines had finally progressed to a point that they can hold entire conversations that sound as natural as if it was a human that was speaking. In order to avoid getting left behind, it seems Microsoft wants to gives its own smart assistant Cortana the same treatment and it will do so via a startup it had just acquired.

The startup is called Semantic Machines and it focuses on providing artificial intelligence with natural language, Engadget reports. Basically, it’s the kind of startup that intends on helping AIs speaking more like humans, which is exactly what Google showed off with Duplex.

According to the announcement post, one of the first initiatives that will be generated from the project is developing Cortana’s conversational skills. This will make interactions with users feel more natural and they aim to accomplish this on various fronts.

“With the acquisition of Semantic Machines, we will establish a conversational AI center of excellence in Berkeley to push forward the boundaries of what is possible in language interfaces. Combining Semantic Machines’ technology with Microsoft’s own AI advances, we aim to deliver powerful, natural and more productive user experiences that will take conversational computing to a new level. We’re excited to bring the Semantic Machines team and their technology to Microsoft,” the post reads.

As The Verge notes, Cortana actually already has a human-like voice thanks to Jen Taylor, who also voices the AI in the Halo video game franchise. The goal now is to simply make speaking to Cortana feel the same way as if she was speaking to the Master Chief in the games, where she basically acts like a real person. Of course, this was before she turned on humanity, but that’s a topic for another day.